The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-17
4 TOURIST IN MEXICO.
TALES OF TIE DAYS WHEN BAN.
DTS RULED THE ROAD.
A Visit 10 the Scene OF Maxlmll.
ias's Death-What Dlaz
Has Achieved.

in the interior, up and down over the
rolling plateau, occasionally climbing
along the spurs OF the mountain
ranges that line in the broad valley,
and once coming down and along the
bed OF clear swift stream over which
hung dense masses OF tropical foliage
from the plants and trees on the
bank, then up again along the noun
tain side, the stage numbering ahead
at breakneck speed along places
where there is barely room between
the outer wall Of the road that has
been cut from the mountain for the
vehicle to pass. Suddenly "Caramba"
calls out laxative little Mexican,
who has been quiet fer some time.
"My dear sir" touching me on the
arm, DO you see that big boulder
That is the very place where six
years ago this stage was stopped by
party Of Catholic Mexicans
who asked for two Presbyterian
missionaries who we're known to be
in IL, and 90 being found we're taken
by the mob and massacred on the
spot. Yes, sir" continued he, point
ing back TO the big boulder, right
there by that big rock is the place it
happened. After the two men we're
killed they we're quartered and the
four different parts placed each on
'burros' (i.se. doukeys), who we're
goaded to frenzy by punches of
priekley pear laid upon them till
they rushed madly on down the
sides OF the mountain, one or two
falling over in the ravine below
where they lay mutilated masses, it
being hard TO tell missionary from
burro. But that has been some time
ago, before the railroad came and
while Senior Gonzales was el Presi.
dente, but now with Diaz, the rail
roads and telegraph il would hardly
be night before there would be q
troop Of Rurales down here and the
ringloaders swinging in Il e air. Ali
the times have changed indeed since
then"
Our laxative friends re minis
oenoes were here cut of by an cxcla.
nation from one Of the passengers,
and on looking out Just as
we turned an anagle in the
road, there lay the city Of Queretaro
a little distance out in the valley, aud
the lumina real (stage road) wind
ing its length toward il like q great
white serpent, half hidden at times
in places by trees. IL was a pretty
sight as we neared the place 10 see
the bright green foliage OF the trees
lining the banks OF little streams aud
the roofs Of the houses showing be-
tween, after the long dusty ride
through the mountains. Quite near
the city is q tall palm tree Of entirely
different variety from any we had
seen before IN the country. The
body OF the tree runs up straight ms
an arrow Tor about fifty feet without
a blemish, and the top crowned with
long feathery, fern.like leaves. Ii
il certainly beautiful thing, stand.
ing straight and stately, and, with
the long leaves swaying gracefully In
the wind, IL attracts the eye at once
Coming into town the stage stop
at the Meson, where, after makinl
arrangements for staying over fol
Q day or two, we started out Il
see the city, which is one OF con.
siderable interest, II being the place
where Maximilian's eventiul career
came 10 an end. After a little time
spent In making our trade with the
conscientious hAckman, we drove out
10 Bell Mountain, which is larg,
hill standing out in the valley few
miles from Quoretaro. IL was 10 tn,
top OF this hill that Macmillan anC
teveral Of his officers were escorted
early one morning, many years ago
by a squad Of Mexicans and paid the
penalty with their lives for attempt
ing to overthrow the Mexican Gov
eminent and found an empire in III
stead. Not far from here the IA
nous opal fields Of Queretaro, wher,
many beautiful stones have beer
found, which some connoisseurs CLAIM
70 be fully equal 10 the Persian
We bought several in the rough. in
tending TO have them cut on our ar
rival in the City OF Mexico. Mos
Of the stones are sent in this shap,
10 abe capital, where they are Gu
and polished, the gems being taker
by the jewellers aud the poorer classe
OF stones being ycndod by Indians OF
the plaSas. who place them in shal
low vessels OF water, giving them
temporary brillinncy liable 20 deceiy,
the unskilllul.
After our return 10 the city ",
started on a stroll through tn,
plsIas, some Of which are very beau
tiiul with bright colorod flowers o
every variety. and stone bencho
placed along the walks 10 the shade
This was once one OF the very tough
est places in Mexico for bandits, wh,
in collision with the judges, Pile,
tLeir calling with boldness tina
made the highways a terror 10 tray
elors. A gentleman holding a gov
eminent position told us OF a rattle
thrilling experience that happoner
20 him lew years ago, before III
railroads came in. In company wit
airiend, be was travelling on horse
back from the capital, aud on near
ing Quoretaro they were stopped b
bandits but, having quite a sum Z
money, they concluded 20 fight
out His friend was seyerel
wounded, aud one OF IN
bandits killed. Finally seeing Their
was nothing for II but death in IN
end, they attempted TO pass By an
make a run Tor life, hut the wounde
man soon tell from his horse, and on
friend seeing that escape was hop,
less surrendered. Now the curiot
part Of the whole thing came II
They were taken to Querotaro an
lodged m jail on the charge prolerrc
against them by ono Of The bandit
OF attempted robbery, aud kept
confinement without hearinc unit
friends from the capital interior,
and bad them released. In the meal
time, the man who had made n
charge against them had dcpart,
with his share Of the booty, he pro-
ably thinking the mountain air wou
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